Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Melissa Wohlberg, Founder of Breathe Free Physical Therapy & Yoga, LLC, located in Pikesville, MD, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Breathe Free Physical Therapy & Yoga, LLC is a unique place where Physical Therapy and Yoga are integrated with the sole purpose of empowering each and every person that walks through our door. We offer one-on-one treatments for Physical Therapy or Therapeutic Yoga as well as small group Yoga Classes with props galore, Chronic Pain Groups, and weekly Zooms for inspiration.
Our customers fall in the age range of the 40s-80s and enjoy the boutique, intimate environment created to enhance outcomes as well as their experience.
Tell us about yourself
After practicing traditional Physical therapy at Sinai Hospital for 10 years, I became certified in Yoga as an adjunct to my physical therapy treatments. I created a Yoga program for Chronic Pain and became certified in Love Your Brain Yoga for patients with brain injuries. These programs at Sinai were a huge success, and I knew I would eventually want to do this on my own. When the pandemic hit in 2020, I was furloughed and spent most of my days mothering my three kids. When the kids returned to school, I decided to open up my own business and follow my dream and my heart.
I absolutely love the environment that I work in (within Zoetic Wellness Center in Pikesville), and I've built a whole family through my yoga classes. My physical therapy clients and my yoga class participants all motivate me to come to work. I truly respect and enjoy each and every one of them and could not be more grateful to them.
I truly feel that I can better fulfill my life purpose through teaching mindfulness, breathing exercises, and yoga concepts within my physical therapy treatments and my yoga classes. Weekly themes have been created for everyone to practice both on and off the mat and take these lessons into their daily lives.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment so far as a business owner has been to truly build a support network and family for my yoga class participants. Small-group classes (up to 5-6 max) have created a supportive environment where new friendships have been formed, and accomplishments have been made. This was one of my main goals when planning to open up my own business!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The business side of being a business owner has been the hardest for me. Understanding and managing the financials, dealing with Insurance companies, and learning how to manage enough time to handle all aspects of the business. As I grow, I will have to make tough decisions on hiring employees and the direction of the business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Follow your heart. My dad always told me, "If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life." I have found that I love the work that I am doing, which makes the admin and harder tasks worth it.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.breathefreeptandyoga.com/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3ITWRgo
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3PxV7LR
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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